Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(34)

“We need them to check out the clinic. This is the best time, while we have a security team here at the house and the girls safe with us at the ranch.”

“No.” Cara frowned. “It could be very dangerous.”

“We’ll have a good cover story,” Tate cut in. “Gabe had done some research on the place. Ms. Mulvaney could pose as his wife while he investigates the programs at the clinic. They will, of course, need to look around and scrutinize the facilities.”

Gabe sat forward, nodding. “While we’re there, I would plan to make contact with one of the clinic’s staff, who may have information for us.”

Cara closed her eyes. “Even in prison, Costello is a dangerous man. Assuming that he’s behind this, he’ll have people watching the clinic. Probably informers among the staff, too.”

“Honey, you can count on Gabe to get in and get out without being detected.”

“And Summer?”

“I’ll see that she’s safe, ma’am.” His face expressionless, Gabe pulled a map from his nylon bag. “Say the word and we start our preparations.”

Cara stood up slowly. “I wish I had another choice, but I don’t.”

“In that case, we’ll leave you to it.” Tate nodded at Summer, then followed Cara out into the hall, where their voices drifted away.

Summer drummed a hand lightly on the table. “Just for the record, I’m not window dressing, Morgan. If this is going to work, you need my help.”

“And I assume I’ll get it.” Gabe unrolled a map of Mexico. “But I also made a promise that you wouldn’t be put at risk. You’d strictly be present as my cover.”

“I’m releasing you from that promise. I’m trained, and I can protect my own butt perfectly well. Meanwhile, I’ve got security rounds to make.”

Gabe followed in silence as Summer keyed the alarm for a delayed exit. The alarm light began to blink, and he remained at the door, waiting for her to leave first.

“Is this turning into some kind of infantile testosterone match?” Summer’s voice was tight.

The alarm continued to count down.

“Well?”

“Not on my part.” Gabe muttered something under his breath and walked out in front of her. “But when the testosterone starts flying, you’ll definitely know it.”





[page]chapter 11

Upstairs in the small room at the north end of the house, Audra eased out of bed, fully dressed. Liberace raised his head as she passed, then settled back down in his cage. Down the corridor her mother was speaking quietly with the senator as they stood outside the master bedroom.

Funny, the way the two of them acted. Like lovers, only trying hard to hide it.

But Audra wasn’t a kid. She saw how they looked at each other and how they kissed with a lot of tongue when they thought no one was watching. Audra was pretty sure they were sleeping together, but not here in her mother’s house. Probably they went somewhere else, like maybe the senator’s town house or even to a hotel.

Thinking about that made Audra feel hot and funny. She didn’t like it when her friends asked her things about the senator, like wasn’t he handsome and did she think he was a good kisser. For God’s sake, he was going to be her stepfather, so what was she supposed to say?

But underneath Audra was curious, even though she didn’t want to be. Her best friend, Tracey Van Doren, said that being curious about sex was no big deal. Her mother had been married four times and since each husband was younger than the last, Tracey had been curious a lot.

Audra wondered how it felt, having a man all the way, completely inside you. Sure, she’d done some experimenting with boys. Some of them were friends of Tracey’s, and the kissing had been exciting and really cool. But the other stuff had gotten weird. Afterward, she’d felt—

Empty.

She frowned at the darkness, listening to her mother’s door close. Were they finally going to give in and stop this stupid charade that they weren’t really lovers?

Audra heard low footsteps in the hall, then the senator’s quiet voice as he passed her door. Talking on his cell phone, probably to Washington or Paris or Bangkok. She had to keep reminding herself how important he was. And she liked him—really liked him, almost more than she could remember liking her real father, who had been a jerk. Especially when he was drinking.

Audra didn’t want to screw things up, either. Her mom was pretty cool—for a mom. She deserved to be happy with an important man like the senator, who could actually sit and listen to what you had to say without smirking and being clueless like most grown-ups.

Down inside her jacket her cell phone chirped loudly.

Damn.

Audra answered quickly, keeping her voice low. “What?”

“Hey, I’ve been waiting down here on this damned lawn for twenty minutes, freezing my butt off.” Tracey sounded irritated. “Where the hell are you?”

“My mom just got to sleep, okay?”

“No shit. Is he banging her right there in the house?”

“Shut up, Tracey.” It bothered Audra a lot when her friend said dumb things like that. Worst of all, it made Audra feel like some kind of traitor. But they had been friends since they were three, and Audra was pretty sure Tracey didn’t mean it. All the tough words were just a cover for The Fear.